Australian crime lab complains of backlog
August 13, 2007
The Victoria, Australia, Law Institute said this week that a backlog in forensic testing is leading authorities to release defendants and delay court cases by as much as a year.
The Institute told ABC.net that the problem is being exacerbated by changes in crime and the complexity of forensic testing. Lawyers and police say additional resources will help alleviate the backlog.
In Victoria, defendants are being released on bail because the evidence to convict them is awaiting testing at the crime lab.
ABC said the deputy chairwoman of the Victorian Law Institute's criminal law committee claimed magistrates are increasingly reluctant to remand people in custody where there are lengthy delays for analysis of DNA or other forensic material.
Source: ABC.net.au
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